How to Form Perfect Meatballs
Delicious Classic Meatballs are just a few simple steps away! To make sure your homemade meatballs cook evenly and achieve perfect browning, form meatballs that are uniform in shape and size. Pat the meat mixture into a 6×4-inch square, then cut your large square into 24 individual squares. Roll each one into a ball, and voilĂ ! You’re ready to bake the best meatballs for any get-together, potluck or family dinner.
This baked meatball recipe has been a go-to for generations of home cooks due to its perfectly precise proportions of meat, bread crumbs, milk, egg and seasonings. Feel like you’ve mastered the basics of how to make meatballs? Try out even more time-tested recipes, like our Instant Pot® Swedish Meatballs..
How to Store Homemade Meatballs
If you have any leftover meatballs, we’d recommend storing them in the fridge for a maximum of 3 days. To store in the freezer, place cooked and cooled meatballs on an ungreased cookie sheet. Freeze uncovered about 20 minutes or until firm. Place partially frozen meatballs in heavy plastic bag or freezer container. Seal, label and freeze no longer than 3 months. Keep some on hand for last-minute dinner creations!
Ingredients
- 1lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
- 1/2cup Progresso™ Italian-style Bread Crumbs
- 1/4cup milk
- 1/2teaspoon salt
- 1/2teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4teaspoon pepper
- 1small onion, finely chopped (1/4 cup)
- 1egg
Steps
- 1Heat oven to 400°F.
- 2Line 13×9-inch pan with foil; spray with cooking spray.
- 3In large bowl, mix all ingredients.
- 4Shape mixture into 24 (1 1/2-inch) meatballs.
- 5Place 1 inch apart on pan.
- 6Bake uncovered 18 to 22 minutes or until temperature reaches 160°F and no longer pink in center.
Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens
- tip 1
- tip 2
- tip 3
Frequently Asked Questions
Should Meatballs Be Baked or Pan Fried?
There are plenty of different ways to make tasty homemade meatballs, but these easy meatballs are fan-favorites! With the help of 8 basic ingredients and your trusty oven, this Classic Meatball recipe achieves hearty perfection in just 40 minutes.
Baking, rather than pan frying, these homemade meatballs speeds up prep time so you can work on the rest of your meal while they’re cooking. We love serving up classic Spaghetti and Meatballs, or eating these meatballs with sides of rice and tasty salad or roasted vegetables. Browning these easy meatballs in the oven at a high heat is also neater and involves much less hands-on effort than searing them on a skillet (especially if you’re making enough to feed a crowd). We love achieving perfectly-cooked meatballs without working over a hot stove!
